Exercise equipment handle

ABSTRACT

An exercise equipment handle permits a user to perform inverted rows with a vertical bar positioned above the user, such as on the barbell part of a Smith machine. The handle can be hung from the barbell part and the user can be positioned underneath. The user can grip the handles and do inverted rows with a neutral (palms facing) grip. In some embodiments, the handles are close to provide a narrow grip. The handles are typically turned out at an angle and are suspended on a cross-piece. The user is able to do inverted row exercises safely, without the lower back strain usually associated with rowing-type exercise.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to exercise equipment handle and, moreparticularly, to an exercise equipment handle for doing inverted rowsin, for example, any Smith machine.

In the gym, a truism is quickly learned—all of the wide grip chins andpull-downs in the world can't give someone a fully developed, definedback. For that, a person must do your heavy rows, especially close grip.However, the problem with those exercises (heavy low pulley rows, T-barrows and medium grip bent over barbell rows) is that they put anenormous load on the lower back.

As can be seen, there is a need for a device to permit a person toperform rowing-type exercises while minimizing back strain.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a exercise equipment handlecomprises a bar member; at least one hook extending from a first side ofthe bar member; a first handle suspended from a second, opposite side ofthe bar member on a first end of the bar member; and a second handlesuspended from the second, opposite side of the bar member on a secondend of the bar member, wherein the first handle and the second handleare disposed at an angle relative to an axis of the bar member.

In another aspect of the present invention, a exercise equipment handlecomprises a bar member; at least a first hook and a second hookextending from a first side of the bar member; a first handle suspendedfrom a second, opposite side of the bar member on a first end of the barmember; and a second handle suspended from the second, opposite side ofthe bar member on a second end of the bar member, wherein the firsthandle and the second handle are disposed at an angle of about 10 toabout 20 degrees, relative to an axis of the bar member.

In a further aspect of the present invention, a method for exercisingcomprises attaching a bar member to a fixed bar via one or more hooksthat extend from a first side of the bar member; laying supine under thefixed bar; grasping handles located on each end of the bar member, thehandles being angled relative to an axis of the bar member; and pullingoneself up toward the fixed bar.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the presentinvention will become better understood with reference to the followingdrawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a user performing exercises using theexercise handle device according to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the exercise handle device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an exercise handle device according toanother exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the exercise handle device of FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplatedmodes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. Thedescription is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merelyfor the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention,since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides an exerciseequipment handle for doing inverted rows with a vertical bar positionedabove the user, such as on the barbell part of a Smith machine. Thehandle can be hung from the barbell part and the user can be positionedunderneath. The user can grip the handles and do inverted rows with aneutral (palms facing) grip. In some embodiments, the handles are closeto provide a narrow grip. The handles are typically turned out at anangle and are suspended on a cross-piece. The user is able to doinverted row exercises safely, without the lower back strain usuallyassociated with rowing-type exercise.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 through 3, a user may position themselvessupine below a suspended barbell 22. Typically the barbell 22 can besuspended at about an arm's length away from the user. The exercisehandle device (also referred to as the “Backbull” device) can be hung onthe barbell 22 and provide the user with handles 12 to performrowing-type exercise.

The Backbull device includes a bar member 10 having at least one hook16, typically a first and a second hook 16, extending from one side ofthe bar member 10. The hooks 16 may, for example, be hooks with threads18 adapted to thread into the bar member 10 and attached with a weld 20.In some embodiments, the hooks 16 may be formed integrally with the barmember. The hooks may be designed to allow the Backbull device to handfrom the barbell 22 as shown in FIG. 1.

At or near each end of the bar member 10, handle brackets 14 may extendin a direction generally opposite that of the hooks 16. The handles 12may be held in place by the handle brackets 14. The handles 12 may bedisposed at an angle relative to the bar member 10. This angle may befrom about 5 to about 30 degrees, typically from about 10 to about 20degrees, and even more typically, about 15 degrees.

In an exemplary use of the Backbull device of the present invention, auser may attach the hooks 16 to the barbell 22 with the handles 12angled outward (relative to the users feet), as shown in FIG. 1. A usermay hold the handles with a palm-facing grip and pull themselves up in arowing motion. This motion can provide the user with an excellent andefficient inverted rowing exercise without the back strain associatedwith conventional rowing exercises.

The bar member 10 of the Backbull device may provide handles that arespaced apart a distance shorter than the user's shoulder width,typically from about 6 inches to about 24 inches apart, typically about10 inches apart.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, the bar member 10 may be made longer toprovide a different exercise effect. For example, the bar member 10 maysupport the handles 12 spaced apart a distance longer than the user'sshoulder width, typically from about 2 feet to about 4 feet apart.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates toexemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may bemade without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as setforth in the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An exercise equipment handle comprising: a barmember; at least one hook extending from a first side of the bar member;a first handle suspended from a second, opposite side of the bar memberon a first end of the bar member; and a second handle suspended from thesecond, opposite side of the bar member on a second end of the barmember, wherein the first handle and the second handle are disposed atan angle relative to an axis of the bar member.
 2. The exerciseequipment handle of claim 1, wherein the at least one hook includes afirst hook and a second hook.
 3. The exercise equipment handle of claim1, wherein the angle is from about 10 to about 20 degrees.
 4. Theexercise equipment handle of claim 1, wherein the angle is about 15degrees.
 5. The exercise equipment handle of claim 1, further comprisinga handle bracket interconnecting the handle with the bar member.
 6. Theexercise equipment handle of claim 1, wherein the handles are spacedapart about 10 inches.
 7. The exercise equipment handle of claim 1,wherein the handles are spaced apart between about 24 to 48 inches. 8.An exercise equipment handle comprising: a bar member; at least a firsthook and a second hook extending from a first side of the bar member; afirst handle suspended from a second, opposite side of the bar member ona first end of the bar member; and a second handle suspended from thesecond, opposite side of the bar member on a second end of the barmember, wherein the first handle and the second handle are disposed atan angle of about 10 to about 20 degrees, relative to an axis of the barmember.
 9. The exercise equipment handle of claim 8, wherein the angleis about 15 degrees and the handles are spaced apart a distance of about10 inches.
 10. A method for exercising, comprising: attaching a barmember to a fixed bar via one or more hooks that extend from a firstside of the bar member; laying supine under the fixed bar; graspinghandles located on each end of the bar member, the handles being angledrelative to an axis of the bar member; and pulling oneself up toward thefixed bar.